Homeowner charged after shots fired after alleged confrontation with trespassers

RCMP say Edouard Maurice faces three charges of aggravated assault, pointing a firearm and careless use of a firearm. (Pexels photo)

OKOTOKS, Alta. – A homeowner in rural Alberta who was held by police after shots were fired during a confrontation on his property over the weekend now faces charges.

RCMP say Edouard Maurice faces three charges of aggravated assault, pointing a firearm and careless use of a firearm.

Mounties say officers from the Okotoks detachment south of Calgary were called to the property at around 5:30 a.m. on Saturday where a homeowner allegedly confronted two people rummaging through his vehicles.

Police say shots were fired and one of the alleged suspects was later found with an arm injury and was taken to hospital.

Rural crime on the Prairies has been in the spotlight recently following the acquittal of a Saskatchewan farmer in the shooting death of an Indigenous man on his property.

Maurice was released from custody and is scheduled to appear in Okotoks Provincial Court on March 9.

Ryan Watson, who was taken to hospital, was released Sunday and faces charges that include trespassing by night, mischief to property, theft under $5000 from a motor vehicle, possession of methamphetamine and two counts of violating probation.

He appeared in Calgary court on Sunday.

Police say they’re still trying to identify the second suspect.